Dear X - Actually, cysts are fairly common, but they are mundane and not
worth a lot of mention.  The cysts that we see in ferrets are generally
swollen scent glands, whose ducts have become blocked - so they swell.
You are not aspirating water, but the secretion of the gland, and over
time, these cysts continue to enlarge and secrete.  You are generally faced
either with surgery to remove it, or just repeated aspiration.  Aspirating
earlier is always better, before it has a chance to grow even larger, but
surgery is still the best option, especially if they are multiple.  It is
unusual for ferrets to be bothered by touching the cyst, but if this is
the case, then all the more reason to remove in entirely.  The good news
is that these items are only very rarely malignant, so excision should be
curative.
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
 
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[Posted in FML issue 3437]